COURSES

Biological and Chemical Analysis:  (2 high school credits) The biology portion focuses on cell and molecular biology and examines the anatomy and physiology of vertebrate organ systems.  Laboratory investigations will focus on properties of biological molecules, enzyme kinetics, cell structure and division, gene expression, and techniques used in biotechnology including PCR, DNA fingerprinting, gel electrophoresis, cell transformation, and gene cloning. Application of the scientific method is stressed as students learn to analyze and interpret their own results.  Through laboratory activities and dissections, students will learn the anatomy and physiology of various organisms in a comparative anatomy format.  In the chemistry portion of the course, the fundamental principles and laws of organic chemistry will be studied.  Extensive laboratory work and problem solving will serve as the basic tools for students to explore kinetics, acid/base chemistry, and equilibrium. Some areas of inorganic chemistry will be examined. Finally, combined biological and chemical investigations will employ advanced technologies utilized in research, medical, and forensic laboratories.
Instrutors: J. Clake, D. Chandra

Concepts and Controversies in Environmental Science:  (2 high school credits) In this course, students will integrate aspects of biology, chemistry, earth science, and physics in the study of the environment. Exploration of relationships between organisms and their biotic and abiotic environment at multiple levels of biological system hierarchy serves as the foundation for this course. Laboratory and fieldwork in various ecosystems are also integral components of the course. Students will undertake monthly sampling of a nearby pond ecosystem for water quality and biotic components.  Field methods include quadrate and transect sampling, as well as various techniques for surveying animal communities and monitoring water quality. While analyzing their own data, students will become familiar with concepts such as spatial and temporal variation in natural systems, species diversity, and community similarity indices. Critical thinking, risk analysis, and cost-benefit analysis will be emphasized as students identify and analyze alternative solutions to complex environmental problems.  Whenever possible, current or on-going environmental issues and/or case histories will be emphasized. 
Instructor: M. Mulvey

Inquiry Physics & Scientific Programming I – Dynamics: (2 high school credits) This course integrates the fundamentals of structured and object-oriented programming (C/C++/UNIX) with the following areas in physics (non-calculus based) - Newtonian mechanics, thermodynamics, and fluid dynamics. Additional topics of atomic and nuclear physics will also be covered. A solid conceptual understanding of these topics will be developed. The following tools in programming will be presented – variable types, control structures, loops, arrays, structures, pointers, dynamic memory, classes, inheritance and polymorphism, queues and trees. The results of numerical problems and laboratory experiments in physics will be compared and contrasted with that of computer simulations written in C/C++. Hence, this course would provide an effective computational tool to explore the concepts in physics, resulting in both high school science and math credits.
Instructor: S. Chinnab

Inquiry Physics & Scientific Programming II – Digital Devices: (2 high school credits) This course integrates the fundamentals of assembly language and C++ with the following areas in physics (non-calculus based) - electromagnetism, circuit theory, microprocessors, and digital logic. Additional topics such as optics, waves, quantum mechanics will be covered. The following assembly language tools will be applied to microprocessor theory - Data Representation, Arithmetic and Logical Operations, System Organization, Memory Layout and Access , Variables and Data Structures, Opcodes, Control Structures, and Procedures and Functions. Laboratory experiments in the other topics will be supplemented by computer programming projects in C++.

Modern Pre-calculus: (1 high school credit) This course is an intensive, reform approach to mathematics designed to prepare students for college calculus.  Students will focus on discussion and mathematical problem solving in elementary vector analysis, explicitly defined exponential, polynomial, logarithmic and trigonometric functions, as well as functions that are defined recursively and parametrically.  Student investigations into functions, bi-variant data, and models will involve graphing calculators and computers.  Both a graphical and analytic approaches to problem solving will be emphasized and used to model practical applications. Calculus techniques in solving mathematical equations are introduced in throughout the course.
Instructor: A. Chapman

Calculus: (1 high school credit) This course takes an integrated approach to learning calculus. Students will use skills developed earlier in their math courses to address real-world problems related to calculus. Students will solve problems graphically, analytically, and by applying advanced software technology. Students will gain an in-depth understanding of limits, continuity and asymptotic behavior of functions, differential calculus, integral calculus, the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, advanced techniques of integration, first degree differential equations and modeling, the study of sequences and series, and the calculus of parametrically-defined functions.  Successful completion of this course will prepare students to enroll in multivariable calculus.  
Instructor: M. Tyler

Multivariable Calculus: (1 high school credit) This course emphasizes computational techniques, geometry and theoretical structure, creative problem solving, and proofs. Additional topics incorporates parametric equations, curves and surfaces in three dimensions, vector functions, coordinate systems, partial differentiation and total differentials with applications, multiple integrals with applications, and vector calculus from various areas of application. Students will also learn how to use a computer algebra system to pose, visualize and solve problems in advanced calculus.
Instructor: A. Chapman

Research Methodology & Ethics: (1 high school credit) This course provides students with a basic understanding of scientific research design, experimental design, and statistical analysis. In addition, a broader understanding of current technological applications in research communication will be explored. An understanding in research ethics will set the stage for pondering national and international codes of human subjects research, the role of the scientist in society, and the theory and practice of ethics in different disciplines. A major curricula emphasis will be on technical writing and communication of research findings. Utilization of statistical software MiniTab and BASIC computer programming will serve to enhance scientific understanding of research design. Students will complete a research project for presentation at the Tidewater Science Fair. This course will serve as a preparatory course for the Honor Research and Mentorship Program.

Honors Research and Mentorship: (2 high school credit) The Honors Research and Mentorship program (HRM) involves students in concentrated research or project development in firms and laboratories throughout the Tidewater area. They are supervised by mentors who are accomplished scientists, engineers and other professionals. Students must plan, implement, document and present research/projects chosen in consultation with these mentors. Accordingly, the students develop and refine their research and presentation techniques, problem-solving, critical thinking and leadership skills. This experience provides students with an opportunity to integrate theory, knowledge and application through a research experience.

Calculus-based Engineering Physics:  Foundations and Modeling: (2 high school credits)  This course explores classical mechanics and thermodynamics through in-depth discussion, project development, and experimental laboratory activities. The course emphasizes the modeling of physical processes and the application of knowledge. Laboratory experiments use apparatuses such as air-tracks, ballistic pendulums, and thermoelectric transfer devices to investigate fundamental physics and mathematical theories. Computer data acquisition software is utilized to collect, analyze, and graph experimental data. Error propagation analysis helps students to understand the limits of numerical approximations. Robotics is one of the applied topics in mechanics. Software applications range from Interactive Physics to West Point Bridge designer software to an interactive online technology developed at Berkeley University. Special activities include building multi-stage water rockets along with data analysis, building Rube Goldberg machines, outdoor vector orienteering, and the study of kinematics in baseball.
Instructor: R. Purman

Calculus-based Engineering Physics: Maxwell to Hawking and Beyond: (2 high school credits) This course is a thorough investigation of electric and magnetic field theory, DC circuit theory, and geometric optics along with some modern topics such as quantum mechanics. 3-D visualization skills will be developed. The overarching themes of conservation and symmetry will be synthesized.  Laboratory experiments use apparatuses such as optical benches, spectrometers, and lasers.  E&M Field software will allow students to investigate electric and magnetic fields associated with different charge and current distributions.  Mathematica is utilized as a math tool (e.g. integration).